Timothy Dalton or Daniel Craig?

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  • edited April 2012 Posts: 11,189
    Thats sadly the impression I get too. Most people I've talked to (or heard talk) about Dalton have described him using the same words:

    -Dull
    -Not engaging
    -Boring

    Watching clips like these in which a director openly voices his negative opinion about Dalton:


    make me wonder whether other directors who were approached thought the same thing
  • Posts: 17
    I haven't looked up the stats on the Bond movies versus other 80's movies, but I think they have always been popular in the USA. They have always been more classy than the action movies and also think over time that is why the group came up with a younger Bond, i.e. Craig, also fit in with making the movie about the first book. The younger generation doesn't remember a lot of the first Bonds, so they are more acceptable of the newer one. It's just the ones that have seen all of the movies that have a conflict. I'm still with Craig. I will go back and watch Dalton again, seen all of the movies more than 3 or 4 times +, and I like him, but it's Craig's time now. I like his conflict with "M" and finding himself, he's character is happy, MI6 just is changing and as they said "the accountants are running MI6 these days." That probably isn't far off for all countries today.
  • Dalts.
  • Posts: 12,837
    I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.
  • Posts: 1,052
    I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.

    This would have been a few years later, I would have been only 5 and 7 when Dalts 2 entries came out, but I remember in the years before Bond came back in GE that people used to slag him off but he was probably well received initially?
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Dalton: I think he was definitely well received initially. Still is in my book: but I am still voting for Craig in this poll.
  • Posts: 1,052
    I think there is a big difference between general opinion and the hardcore fanbase, before I came on here I just assumed that Brozzer was well liked and considered the best since Connery, how wrong I was!
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,561
    Connery said "darling" to Romanova in FRWL.

    Roger Moore had the whole 'darling' thing going with MP in TMWTGG.
  • Posts: 1,082
    DarthDimi wrote:
    Connery said "darling" to Romanova in FRWL.

    Roger Moore had the whole 'darling' thing going with MP in TMWTGG.

    Yes, I know, but he said that only Moore has ever said darling on screen in a Bond film. I gave him an example of Connery doing it. Brosnan has also done it.

  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,561
    Connery also said 'darling' to MP.
  • Posts: 1,052
    I'm not sure if saying "Darling" is conclusive proof of being like Fleming's written Bond.
  • My vote goes to Dalton. He made Bond a more serious character. Craig, though... my views on him might change in Skyfall (if it lives up to my expectations), but Dalton will always be the best. Connery comes in second best.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    I'm not sure if saying "Darling" is conclusive proof of being like Fleming's written Bond.

    Exactly, I don't know where that has come from. If it were the definitve proof, then I could go outside, call some random bird 'darling', and suddenly be eligible for the tag of Fleming-esque.
  • Posts: 12,837
    I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.

    This would have been a few years later, I would have been only 5 and 7 when Dalts 2 entries came out, but I remember in the years before Bond came back in GE that people used to slag him off but he was probably well received initially?

    Yeah, I think he was well recieved at first but I think maybe the public opinion startd to change after LTK, which was more dark and violent than TLD.
  • I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.

    This would have been a few years later, I would have been only 5 and 7 when Dalts 2 entries came out, but I remember in the years before Bond came back in GE that people used to slag him off but he was probably well received initially?

    Yeah, I think he was well recieved at first but I think maybe the public opinion startd to change after LTK, which was more dark and violent than TLD.
    That being said, I bet a lot of young Bond fans enjoyed this since it was adapting to modern times. James Bond wasn't a classy spy any more, it was the beginning of modern Bond as we know it.
  • edited April 2012 Posts: 12,837
    I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.

    This would have been a few years later, I would have been only 5 and 7 when Dalts 2 entries came out, but I remember in the years before Bond came back in GE that people used to slag him off but he was probably well received initially?

    Yeah, I think he was well recieved at first but I think maybe the public opinion startd to change after LTK, which was more dark and violent than TLD.
    That being said, I bet a lot of young Bond fans enjoyed this since it was adapting to modern times. James Bond wasn't a classy spy any more, it was the beginning of modern Bond as we know it.

    Yeah, I was young and I loved it. Bond just seemed more normal in this, but he still had his gadgets, his one liners, it was the perfect balance. It's my favourite film of all time.
    BAIN123 wrote:
    Thats sadly the impression I get too. Most people I've talked to (or heard talk) about Dalton have described him using the same words:

    -Dull
    -Not engaging
    -Boring

    Watching clips like these in which a director openly voices his negative opinion about Dalton:


    make me wonder whether other directors who were approached thought the same thing

    Don't get me wrong, I like Renny Harlin, Die Hard 2 was awesome, but I disagree with everything he said about Dalton.
  • I know when I was growing up I never heard a good word about Dalton, it seems he was seen as a bit of a disaster by the general public and I was generally dismissive of him myself until I watched LTK properly for the first time.

    That's weird, because when I was growing up and TLD had just come out, most people I knew seemed pleased with him as Bond.

    This would have been a few years later, I would have been only 5 and 7 when Dalts 2 entries came out, but I remember in the years before Bond came back in GE that people used to slag him off but he was probably well received initially?

    Yeah, I think he was well recieved at first but I think maybe the public opinion startd to change after LTK, which was more dark and violent than TLD.
    That being said, I bet a lot of young Bond fans enjoyed this since it was adapting to modern times. James Bond wasn't a classy spy any more, it was the beginning of modern Bond as we know it.

    Yeah, I was young and I loved it. Bond just seemed more normal in this, but he still had his gadgets, his one liners, it was the perfect balance. It's my favourite film of all time.

    It's definitely up in the top five.
  • JDPJDP
    Posts: 1
    I can't believe this was actually a real discussion. Dalton is easily one of the worst Bonds period.

    Craig is so much better.
  • DALTON. All the way. He was the precursor to the "modern" Bond, as someone else said. The character wouldn't be what he is today if it wasn't for Dalton. He definitely set the ball rolling with regards to the start of a darker, more serious/realistic Bond. I love the guy. LTK is one of the most underrated Bond films of the entire series. Such a shame...
  • Posts: 117
    Craig... but only just. There's about 1% in it. Ask me next week though, & I'll probably say Dalton.
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,571
    I'm not sure if saying "Darling" is conclusive proof of being like Fleming's written Bond.

    Exactly, I don't know where that has come from. If it were the definitve proof, then I could go outside, call some random bird 'darling', and suddenly be eligible for the tag of Fleming-esque.
    It started with me I'm afraid. I mentioned that when reading CR I was struck by how Bond addressed Vesper as 'darling' which has become slightly out of fashion now, but I noticed that Roger Moore used the expression alot in his first two films. It wasn't meant as conclusive proof of anything.

    8-}
  • Both had strong opening films, followed by disappointing second outings. At the moment I slightly prefer Timothy Dalton to Daniel Craig, but, then again, Craig hasn't really had the chance to play the fully-formed character of James Bond yet. I expect Skyfall to remedy this.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    This is a close race!! It deserves a martini for the winner.
  • Posts: 1
    I liked Timothy, but in real life he is a bit of a softy whereas Daniel isn't, and that shows through, being suave and sophisticated is required and Daniel can do that but being a hard bastard is also required and he definitely fills that role even more so, so its Daniel for me, after all it is 2012 and a different bond is needed Sean's bond for instance would seem a little strange today.
  • Dalton and Craig are two of my favorite Bonds, but to choose just one I'll go with Craig. He's the Bond of my generation and he's doing a spectacular job. No complaints whatsoever.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    tanko wrote:
    I liked Timothy, but in real life he is a bit of a softy whereas Daniel isn't, and that shows through, being suave and sophisticated is required and Daniel can do that but being a hard bastard is also required and he definitely fills that role even more so, so its Daniel for me, after all it is 2012 and a different bond is needed Sean's bond for instance would seem a little strange today.

    If Sean Connery was 32 in this day and age, he'd make Craig look like a cuddly kitten. Sean was/is brutal yet can do suave, sophistication and excessive charm in his sleep.

    Now, to address the topic at hand, Craig gets my vote.

  • BAIN123 wrote:
    Timbo's films still made decent money, not as big as most of the previous entries but still profitable, the fact he only made two and the huge gap between LTK and GE due to legal issues, has always given people the impression that Dalton nearly destroyed the series but who knows what would have happen if he had made a third.

    I still maintain that, had he done it, GE would not have been as successful as it was - despite the long gap. Yeah I'm sure it would have done fairly well but it wouldn't have been the powerhouse it was IMO. Rog, who suffered a similar situation with TMWTGG and TSWLM was already hugely popular with the public in America thanks to The Saint and The Persuaders, hence he didn't need to try as hard to win them over. Thats what a lot of people forget.

    Your point about Sir Roger is well taken and very, very true. I was about 11 when they announced Moore would be taking the role and I already knew who he was from watching those TV shows. A lot of people knew him. Dalton was a virtual unknown in the U.S when he took the role. The U.S audiences were so used to Sir Roger's interpretation and I remember people who really only knew Moore as Bond being disappointed that the lighter hearted tone was gone. The people who knew Sir Sean and preferred the original films were a lot more impressed with Dalton and that we had realism again. My father was a supporter for Brosnan and didn't know Dalton at all but when we left the theater after TLD, being a huge Connery fan himself, he said the series was in good hands and thought Dalton did a great job to the point that he was over Brosnan not getting the role. If Brosnan had taken the role then, he would have been in a very similar situation to Moore as far as being a better known and safer choice. Craig was more or less in the same situation as Moore and Brosnan, a known commodity to film goers but not so much a TV personality.

    Personally, I think the overall feel of GE was more suited for Dalton's skills and interpretation so I can't agree it would have done as well on an artistic level. Box office wise, edge to Brosnan.

  • Posts: 147
    Timothy Dalton wins but just.
    TD is second on my list with Craig almost tied but after Skyfall it might change.
  • Posts: 6,677
    WVPoef wrote:
    Timothy Dalton wins but just.
    TD is second on my list with Craig almost tied but after Skyfall it might change.

    Connery first? You the man.
  • daniel craig all the way dont get wrong dalton was great but with casino royale craig, knock out of the park, when i first saw the trailer for the movie, and he had a blue suit and was holding a machine gun, i thought holy shit he looks like stevie mcqueen doing james bond in other world a real macho man but with vunerabity, its only one way daniel craig can get out of the shadow of the great sean connery if the producers get there head out there asses and re-do ohmss, the book version of you only live twice and the start of man with the golden gun, these story would required to feel for bond just like the books
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